Hearts in Ukraine
Born and raised in Ukraine, ASI employees Alex Shilman and Nataliya Royzman deliver poignant insights into how the Russian invasion of their native country has impacted them as well as their families and friends.
The words catch in Nataliya Royzman’s throat and she fights back tears as she considers the question: What is her greatest fear for friends and family back in her home country of Ukraine?
“The greatest fear,” she says, composing herself, “is that I’m never going to see them again. I just want them here (in the U.S.) and to be safe. That’s all.”
ASI employees Nataliya Royzman and Alex Shilman discuss the situation in Ukraine with ASI Media’s Christopher Ruvo.
Royzman, a senior financial business systems analyst at promo products industry membership association ASI, shared the heartbreaking insight during this Promo Insiders podcast. She was joined in the discussion by Alex Shilman, a senior application developer in ASI’s IT department who’s also from Ukraine.
Given their roots, both are experiencing Russia’s war against Ukraine in a deeply personal way that people without such connections simply cannot. In this candid and emotional discussion hosted by ASI Media’s Christopher Ruvo, Shilman and Royzman offer insights into everything from the situation on the ground in Ukraine to what families/friends are experiencing to how folks here can help support the war-torn country.
During the talk, Royzman describes how some family and friends are scrambling to get iodine amid fears of a nuclear attack. Shilman discusses how there was widespread disbelief – in Ukraine and in his household here – that Russia pressed forward with the full-scale invasion.
“You didn’t want to believe they’d attack,” Shilman says. “I was in complete shock. There are moments in your life, you can’t believe they actually happened.”
Shilman and Royzman discuss the stalwart resilience of Ukrainians as civilians join military regulars in combatting invaders, and as everyday citizens keep some semblance of civil society functioning. It’s important, both say, that the U.S. continues to support Ukraine.
For Russian President Vladimir Putin, “Ukraine is just a stepping-stone,” Shilman opines. “Ukrainians aren’t just protecting Ukraine. They’re protecting Europe. They’re protecting everyone. Putin wants to increase his empire. Ukraine is fighting for everybody.”